While not born in North Carolina, I am a North Carolinian at heart. I completed, not only my two bachelors degrees at NC State, I was fortunate to stay on for an additional 8 years to complete my doctorate of veterinary medicine, a rotating medical and surgical internship, my residency in small animal clinical nutrition, and a clinical nutrition fellowship. I was even the NC State Mascot for a time (go Wolf Pack!).
Following board-certification in clinical nutrition, in 2017 I created the Clinical Nutrition Service at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas. 2022, however, has brought new and exciting opportunities! I am delighted to be part of a team creating a Clinical Nutrition Service at Friendship Hospital for Animals.
In addition to being one of the few Board Certified Nutritionists in practice, I have the honor of being a mom of two handsome (and exhausting) boys. When I am not collaborating with my colleagues and clients (saving pets’ lives, one meal at a time), I love to spend time with my husband, Nathan, and my boys Arthur and Rowan.
Clinical Areas of Interest
- Multi-disease state nutrition
- Critical Care and assisted feeding
- Weight loss
- Acute and chronic kidney disease
Why Do You Work at Friendship?
I love the genuine, kind, and collaborative nature associated with the people of Friendship. It is wonderful to be a part of a team that works together to support both the patient and the client.
Education
- North Carolina State University
- BS in Zoology
- BA in Chemistry
- North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
- DVM
- Rotating Medical and Surgical Internship (Nutrition Focused)
Board Certifications
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition)
Publications and Research
Journal Articles
- Bullen LE, Saker KE, Griffith E, Seiler G, Evola MG. Validation of Ultrasonographic Muscle Thickness Measurements as Compared to the Gold Standard of Computed Tomography in Dogs. Peer J DOI 10.7717/peerj.2926.
- Adamovicz L, Bullen LE, Saker K, Grunkemeyer V. Use of an esophagostomy tube for management of traumatic subtotal glossectomy in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 25(2016), pp 231-236.
- Saker K, Bullen LE, Stevens B, Ferris K, Harris J.Selected Interventions Improve Nutrition Recommendations on Patient Discharges
Review Articles
- Bullen LE Veterinary Clinics of North America, Small Animal Practice: Small Animal Nutrition- Nutrition for Pocket Pets (Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents). Vet Clin Small Animal 51 (2021) 583-604.
